U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Gerardo, Parra, an Assault Breacher Vehicle Joint Assault Bridge Operator, with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division poses for a photo during exercise Steel Knight (SK) 2019 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Nov. 28, 2018. SK is an annual exercise used to showcase the Marines and Sailors skills, tactics, and combat readiness by performing in various dynamic scenarios, ground combat maneuver operations, and liver fire ranges. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Miguel A. Rosales)

A U.S. Marine Corps assault breacher vehicle with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, fills a trench during a simulated amphibious assault at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 12, 2019. The exercise consisted of Marines and Sailors who participated in embarkation, overseas movement, breach assaults, and support of forces ashore. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roxanna Gonzalez)

U.S. Marine Corps LCpl. Jacob Thomas, a combat engineer with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, teaches a class on an Expedient Bangalore to Soldiers from Singapore Armed Forces during exercise Valiant Mark 2018 at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. Aug. 28, 2018. Valiant Mark is an annual exercise conducted by U.S. Marines and the Singapore Armed Forces designed to facilitate increased interoperability and strengthen military-to-military relationships through combined-arms integration training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl. Rhita Daniel)

Mobility Assault Company attended a month long specialized route and area clearance training package at McGregor Range Complex, Fort Bliss, New Mexico. Training for all engineer regionally aligned forces, training included Key Leader Engagements, Fundamentals of Route Clearance, Combat Life Saving Course, CIED, CBRN, CSW range, Call for Fire, and Military Demolition range. Training culminated in a three day Mission Readiness Exercise (MRX) evaluating basic fundamentals of mounted and dismounted route clearance, and patrolling.

Mobility Assault Company attended a month long specialized route and area clearance training package at McGregor Range Complex, Fort Bliss, New Mexico. Training for all engineer regionally aligned forces, training included Key Leader Engagements, Fundamentals of Route Clearance, Combat Life Saving Course, CIED, CBRN, CSW range, Call for Fire, and Military Demolition range. Training culminated in a three day Mission Readiness Exercise (MRX) evaluating basic fundamentals of mounted and dismounted route clearance, and patrolling.

Mobility Assault Company attended a month long specialized route and area clearance training package at McGregor Range Complex, Fort Bliss, New Mexico. Training for all engineer regionally aligned forces, training included Key Leader Engagements, Fundamentals of Route Clearance, Combat Life Saving Course, CIED, CBRN, CSW range, Call for Fire, and Military Demolition range. Training culminated in a three day Mission Readiness Exercise (MRX) evaluating basic fundamentals of mounted and dismounted route clearance, and patrolling.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Michelle I. Macander, left, incoming commanding officer of 1st Combat Engineer Battalion (CEB), 1st Marine Division, receives the colors from Lt. Col. Christopher M. Haar, offgoing commanding officer of 1st CEB, during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 22, 2018. The ceremony was held as a formal transfer of authority and responsibility from Haar to Macander. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Audrey C. M. Rampton)

U.S. Marine Corps color guard with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion (CEB), 1st Marine Division, present the colors during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 22, 2018. The ceremony was held as a formal transfer of authority and responsibility from Lt. Col. Christopher M. Haar, offgoing commanding officer of 1st CEB, to Lt. Col. Michelle I. Macander, incoming commanding officer of 1st CEB. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Audrey C. M. Rampton)

Wounded Warrior, Sgt. Michael Spivey, a combat engineer with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, stands with his surfboard, waiting for another participant, before attacking the Pacific Ocean waves during a three-day surf camp at Camp Pendleton's San Onofre Beach, Aug. 12. Operation Amped held the sport therapy camp to provide surfing lessons to rehabilitating injured service members and their families.

Marines with Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, pay their respects to a fallen comrade during a memorial ceremony, July 8, 2012. During the ceremony, Marines paid tribute to Pfc. Steven P. Stevens II, Lance Cpl. Niall W. Coti-Sears, Lance Cpl. Hunter D. Hogan and Lance Cpl. Eugene C. Mills III. Stevens and Mills were killed in action June 22 while participating in Operation Jaws in the Sangin Valley District, Afghanistan. Hogan and Coti-Sears were killed in action the following day during the same operation. Stevens was a combat engineer with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion supporting Weapons Company. Coti-Sears was a rifleman with Weapons Co. Hogan and Mills were riflemen with Bravo Co. attached to Weapons Co.

Marines bow their heads in a moment of prayer during a memorial ceremony, July 8, 2012. During the ceremony, Marines paid tribute to Pfc. Steven P. Stevens II, Lance Cpl. Niall W. Coti-Sears, Lance Cpl. Hunter D. Hogan and Lance Cpl. Eugene C. Mills III. Stevens and Mills were killed in action June 22 while participating in Operation Jaws in the Sangin Valley District, Afghanistan. Hogan and Coti-Sears were killed in action the following day during the same operation. Stevens was a combat engineer with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion supporting Weapons Company. Coti-Sears was a rifleman with Weapons Co. Hogan and Mills were riflemen with Bravo Co. attached to Weapons Co.

Corporal Christopher K. Wood, heavy equipment mechanic, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, is the sole heavy equipment mechanic on Patrol Base Gherdai. Wood, a 30-year-old Jackson, Mich., native maintains every heavy equipment vehicle at the patrol base so the combat engineers can continue their mission.

Afghan National Army Sgt. Nizamuddin Azizi, explosive ordnance disposal technician, Route Clearance Tolay, 4th Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps, searches for an improvised explosive device in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 1, 2012. In the past month, EOD teams with 2nd Brigade have independently neutralized more than 30 IEDs.